After hitting Asbury Park, NJ’s The Stone Pony for a lively holiday show on Saturday, New Jersey natives Dogs In A Pile headed down the block on Sunday for a surprise livestream performance from Danny Clinch‘s Transparent Clinch Gallery billed as “Dogs In Space.” In addition to a sit-in by Clinch on a favorite from the Jerry Garcia Band repertoire, the ever-rising pups welcomed members of Sun Ra Arkestra to assist on a Dogs original, a Sun Ra staple, and a Herbie Hancock classic.
The band hinted at the livestream performance in a social media post early in the day on Sunday, noting, ” we have a really cool livestream tonight from an undisclosed location and we’re doing stuff we’ve never done before 🥁 ☀️ 🎷.” When fans tuned in on YouTube, they were greeted by the band—featuring Brian Murray (guitar, vocals), Jimmy Law (guitar, vocals), Jeremy Kaplan (keys, flute, vocals), Sam Lucid (bass), and Joe Babick (drums)—huddle up together on the small stage at Clinch’s famed Asbury Park, NJ photography gallery.
The nearly two-hour performance began with the quintet working through original tune “Little Things”, The Kinks‘ “Apeman”, and Dogs staples “Ugly Song” and “Samba For Sam”. Next, Danny Clinch—the acclaimed fine art photographer, Tangiers Blues Band co-founder, and Transparent Clinch Gallery proprietor—joined in with the group on harmonica for a take on “That’s What Love Will Make You Do”, the Little Milton-originated R&B/soul favorite famously co-opted by the Grateful Dead‘s Jerry Garcia and his assorted solo projects.
A take on the original “Power Trip” set up the big finale of “Dogs In Space”: A closing stretch of songs featuring Sun Ra Arkestra members Michael Ray (trumpet), Kneol Scott (saxophone), Brent White (trombone), and Elson Nascimento (percussion). After easing into the new collaboration with Dogs’ “Tillie”, the augmented outfit leaned into the guests’ cosmic jazz oeuvre with Sun Ra staple “Nuclear War” and a take on Herbie Hancock classic “Watermelon Man”.
Below, view the setlist and watch the full Dogs In A Pile “Dogs In Space” livestream from Asbury Park, NJ’s Transparent Clinch Gallery featuring Danny Clinch and members of Sun Ra Arkestra.
Dogs In A Pile will round out a busy 2024 with a four-night New Year’s run at Saratoga Springs, NY’s Putnam Place on December 28th, 29th, 30th, and 31st. New Year’s Eve is sold out, but some tickets remain for December 28th–30th. Find ticketing information here. The band will hit the ground running in 2025 with a lengthy schedule of winter and spring tour dates.
Dogs In A Pile – “Dogs In Space” Livestream – Transparent Clinch Gallery – Full Pro-Shot Video
Setlist: Dogs In A Pile | “Dogs In Space” At Transparent Clinch Gallery | Asbury Park, NJ | 12/22/24
One Set: Little Things, Apeman[1], Ugly Song, Samba for Sam, That’s What Love Will Make You Do[2], Power Trip, Tillie[3] > Nuclear War[4] > Watermelon Man[5]
Footnotes:
[1] The Kinks
[2] Jerry Garcia, With Danny Clinch on Harmonica
[3] With members of Sun Rah Arkestra
[4] Sun Rah Arkestra, With members of Sun Rah Arkestra
[5] Herbie Hancock, With members of Sun Rah Arkestra
Other: Private performance at Danny Clinch’s Transparent Gallery billed as “Dogs In Space”
Sun Ra Arkestra members appearing include:
Michael Ray – Trumpet
Kneol Scott – Sax
Brent White – Trombone
Elson Nascimento – Percussion